Gas explosion test

“Gas explosion is a phenomenon that a combustible gas or vapor forms an

explosive gas (vapor)/air mixture with a certain mixing ratio, and the mixture
explodes in the presence of an ignition source”.

A combustible gas or vapor forms an explosive gas (vapor)/air mixture with a

certain mixing ratio, and the mixture explodes in the presence of a certain
ignition source. Explosion can be prevented by eliminating one of three
combustion elements, namely fuel, air (oxygen), and ignition source. Since the
elimination is sometimes difficult in actual situations, it is necessary to evaluate
an explosion condition of the target substance and handle it in atmosphere
where the condition is never met. It is also important to understand explosion
severity in order to minimize influence in the event of explosion. The following
test meets this requirement. However, since explosion is affected by not only
temperature and pressure but also test apparatus and method, thorough analysis
of test results by specialists is needed. SCAS has the following two kinds of
apparatus for more practical assessments.

Different Testing to be carried out as below.

1. Explosion range (upper and lower explosion limits)

2. Limiting oxygen concentration

3. Minimum ignition energy

Explosion range (upper and lower explosion limits)

The highest explosion concentration of a combustible gas (vapor)/air mixture is
called upper explosion limit, and the lowest explosion concentration is called
lower explosion limit. The concentration range between the two limits is called
explosion range. Since the explosion limits depend on the temperature and
pressure, the explosion range needs to be determined under the operating
condition. SCAS can measure up to 300 deg C for substances that do not
decompose.

Limiting oxygen concentration

A combustible gas (vapor), oxygen, and inert gas (N2, CO2, H2O, etc.) mixture
would not explode regardless of the combustible gas (vapor) concentration, if the
concentration ratio of the inert gas to oxygen is increased to a certain value. This
oxygen concentration is called limiting oxygen concentration. SCAS can measure
using these inert gases.

Minimum Ignition Energy

When a combustible gas (vapor) forms explosive mixture, it would not explode if
the energy of an ignition source is decreased sufficiently. The energy limit at
which a combustible gas (vapor)/air mixture does not explode regardless of the
combustible gas (vapor) concentration is called minimum ignition energy.